The Mustang Forum for Track & Racing Enthusiasts

Taking your Mustang to an open track/HPDE event for the first time? Do you race competitively? This forum is for you! Log in to remove most ads.

  • Welcome to the Ford Mustang forum built for owners of the Mustang GT350, BOSS 302, GT500, and all other S550, S197, SN95, Fox Body and older Mustangs set up for open track days, road racing, and/or autocross. Join our forum, interact with others, share your build, and help us strengthen this community!

Alignment question vs subframe shift?

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.

1,246
1,243
In the V6L
I've raced out of the pro paddock, not just been there. Have you been in an indy or nascar shop? They have laser alignment and setup rigs. Races are won back in the shop. They prioritize what needs to go on the road. Strings work, no doubt. But just because you may have seen them in the pits does not mean that is the preferred method.
Last weekend I was in the paddock at Mid Ohio and saw the (ultimately winning) Acura prototype with brackets and strings on it. That's what I was talking about.
 

Grant 302

basic and well known psychic
Lasers vs. string...it's like politics and religion! We all know both work and each have their strengths. :)

I'm thinking my K could use a small nudge. Just concerned I'd bump it too far. :rolleyes:
 
1,246
1,243
In the V6L
Lasers vs. string...it's like politics and religion! We all know both work and each have their strengths. :)

I'm thinking my K could use a small nudge. Just concerned I'd bump it too far. :rolleyes:
At least we haven't arrived at the "my string's better than your string" point. The K member in my 2011 Mustang GT was off by more than 1/4". I could get -3.5 degrees on both sides just fine, so I didn't bother with trying to fix it.
 

Grant 302

basic and well known psychic
At least we haven't arrived at the "my string's better than your string" point. The K member in my 2011 Mustang GT was off by more than 1/4". I could get -3.5 degrees on both sides just fine, so I didn't bother with trying to fix it.

:D When I use my laser like a string, it's even better! ;)

I've been able to get more camber than I need so I wasn't worried about it either. That might change when I adjust for more squat and expect more body roll.
 
I was under my 350 the other day, and since we did a camber and alignment for track specs, I know my subframe is off to one side. I've had that in my track car in Europe and was suspecting the same here. At -2 of camber on both sides, one strut was maxxed out to the edge of the hole, the other one was almost in the middle. So i checked under my car the other day.

Front subframe on my 350 is off to the left by 4mm (a bit less than 1/4"). So i went into our database at work, and the bolts are 12mm OD, while the holes in the chassis are 19mm ID. That leaves 7mm of difference, so about 3.5/4mm of range to be offset to one side or the other. I guess mine is maxxed out to one side...

Spoon Sports in Japan produces something called RIgid COllars, that are machined inserts that fit between your subframe and the chassis, and slide over the bolts. They basically remove any play whatsoever and center the parts correctly. Nothing is available for S550 though they have a kit for S197 that would fit but they refuse to sell the front subframes inserts for me to test fit them as they have not approved them on a S550 yet. Japanese can be a bit stubborn...

End result : i'm getting some custom machined for my car in June so I can fit them and get my car straight!
Did this ever get done? Ik this is an old thread but i thought i could just always ask, I’ll be interested in a set please let me know I’m also having Front subframe alignment issues. Thanks.
 

TMO Supporting Vendors

Top